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NATO, Pakistan discuss closer security cooperation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Brussels, Jan 30, IRNA
NATO-Pakistan-Aziz
Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Brussels Tuesday afternoon and discussed military, security and political cooperation as well as the situation in Afghanistan.

NATO and Pakistan have shared objectives, Aziz told reporters after the meeting.

On his part, Scheffer said there is no military solution in Afghanistan.

"The answer in Afghanistan reads development, reconstruction, where Pakistan also plays a role," he told reporters.

"There is no sense to have a blame game in public," said the NATO chief calling for a "comprehensive approach" from all sides to establish peace and security in Afghanistan.

Aziz called for an holistic approach stressing that "Pakistan is committed to a strong, stable Afghanistan."
NATO is leading a 32,000-strong international security assistance force, ISAF in Afghanistan.

Earlier, Aziz addressed the North Atlantic Council, the top decision-making body of NATO, the first ever by a Pakistani prime minister.

"It is a demonstration of the constructive political dialogue NATO and Pakistan have developed over the last few years," noted Scheffer.

The two sides discussed the drug cultivation in Afghanistan, refugee issues, and efforts to prevent infiltration into Afghanistan from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

"Pakistan's role remains critical for the NATO ISAF mission in Afghanistan and the stability of the region as a whole.

"Pakistan and NATO have set up a beneficial military to military contact," said Scheffer.

Pakistan and NATO have been steadily increasing cooperation since October 2005, when NATO helped victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the country.

The Alliance has opened several courses at NATO education facilities to Pakistani officers and Pakistani, Afghan and NATO authorities are working together in a joint commission on military and security issues in Afghanistan.

Recently, a joint Afghan, ISAF and Pakistani intelligence centre was opened in Kabul, according to a NATO statement.

Aziz arrived in Brussels on sunday for a 3-day visit for talks with EU, NATO and Belgian officials.

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